El Camino High has its own trio of receivers — Wayne Steward, Demarcus Griffin and Malachi Russell — players so fast they might be known as Mach 3.

The Wildcats (4-3) will need that speed tonight when they travel to play No. 1-ranked Mission Hills in an Avocado League game.

“All three are dangerous,” said El Camino coach Michael Hobbs. “They can make plays in space. And they can fly.”

The trigger man is quarterback Jaden Casey, who has thrown for 1,684 yards.

Griffin, a junior transfer from Washington Union in Fresno, became eligible after Week 5. He’s the fastest of the trio, running 11.12 in the 100 meters at last year’s Central Section Masters meet. He has run 22.52 in the 200. Griffin also ran the lead leg on a 4x100 relay team that clocked a 43.02 and ran the anchor leg on a 4x400 relay team that went 3:28.93.

Russell, a senior transfer from Orange Glen, hasn’t run track since 2015 at Edmond North High in Oklahoma, running 11.84 in the 100 and 24.64 in the 200.

Steward, a baseball player, said he’d join Griffin and Russell on the Wildcats track team this spring if it would help him land a college football scholarship.

Steward caught 74 passes for 1,011 yards as a junior last season at El Camino, but he’s 5-8 and weighs 160 pounds.

“I’m starting to get some looks, but college recruiters tend to overlook me because of my size,” said Steward, who has 30 catches for 409 yards this season and 109 rushing yards on eight carries.

“I’m not happy with our season. The time to make something happen is now.”

Russell (5-11, 150) had a monster year at Orange Glen in 2016 with 87 receptions for a San Diego Section-record 1,742 yards and 24 TDs. He also returned 15 kicks for 449 yards and a pair of TDs.

“But I needed to leave, get to a program with the same mindset as mine,” Russell said.

And his family needed to find a home.

After Russell started his high school career at El Cajon Valley, the family moved to Oklahoma, then back to Orange Glen.

“We went through a long two years,” said Russell, who plans to play soccer for the first time and run track in the spring. “We slept in the car until we got enough money for a motel room.

“I fell behind in class.

“But things are much better now. Our living conditions are OK. I’m catching up in class. I have no choice but to catch up if I want to play in college.

“It has been hard, but the people here have helped, and I’m almost there.”

On the field, Russell has 31 catches for 737 yards and six TDs.

Griffin (5-9, 170) is a three-star recruit who is receiving interest from Rutgers, Nevada, Fresno State, BYU, Illinois, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi among others.

He had a pair of catches for 22 yards and five tackles in his first game for El Camino.

And while he likes catching passes, defense is his love.

“I’m a cornerback, who can play receiver,” Griffin said. “Colleges like me as a corner. That’s my future.”

At the urging of his cousin, James Johnson, Griffin said he made the move to El Camino for his future.

Johnson played at Valley Center, graduated as the San Diego Section’s all-time leader in receiving yards, then starred at Washington. He had his NFL future cut short by a wrist injury.

“I’m living with my grandma and James is helping me train, helping me with my form,” Griffin said. “I’m really happy with my decision to come here. This is a better opportunity.”

Hobbs said Griffin has been a model citizen at El Camino, the first player out to practice and among the last to leave.

“Demarcus is an effort guy and ridiculously fast,” Hobbs said. “We plan to keep him on the field as much as possible.

“Steward is a smart, athletic football player. When we get the ball in his hands, he makes something happen.

“Russell made an immediate impact. He’s a really talented player.

“All three guys are great players, but they’re all better at something. It might be catching the ball, running routes or running after the catch.

“But they’re all really good.”

john.maffei@sduniontribune.com

Bill Wechter /

Wayne Steward caught 74 passes for 1,011 yards as a junior last season at El Camino.

Wayne Steward caught 74 passes for 1,011 yards as a junior last season at El Camino. (Bill Wechter /)

Bill Wechter

Malachi Russell came to El Camino from Orange Glen.

Malachi Russell came to El Camino from Orange Glen. (Bill Wechter)

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